🚀 Apply for £10k+ grants with our Startup Launch Kit

Learn More

Get Support

National Grants

National Grants Get My Funding Pack How To Apply Eligibility Create Business Plan Preparation For Grants Get Support

Last update 20/07/2025

Request a call

2025 Grants & Loans for Start‑ups & Small Businesses in South Lanarkshire, UK

Introduction

South Lanarkshire Council, supported by Business Gateway Lanarkshire, offers a range of grants and access to government-backed loans designed to help start-ups and SMEs launch, grow, and achieve sustainable success.

Available Grants

🔹 Business Support Grant (also known as Business Growth Grant)

Funding: Up to 50% of eligible project costs (excluding VAT), maximum £5,000, retrospectively paid (startupgrant.co.uk, northlanarkshire.gov.uk, southlanarkshire.gov.uk)
Suitable For: Projects costing at least £10,000, including capital investment, training (max £2,000), and trade exhibitions (max £2,000) (southlanarkshire.gov.uk)
Eligibility: Must be an SME (≤250 employees), trading for at least 12 months, VAT‑registered or £90k+ turnover, operating in eligible sectors (southlanarkshire.gov.uk)
Note: Only one application allowed per business between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026; excludes certain sectors (southlanarkshire.gov.uk)

🔹 South Lanarkshire Business Recovery & Growth Grant

Funding: Up to 50% of eligible costs, maximum £20,000, for new or existing eligible businesses (Find Business Support)
Purpose: Supports new products/markets, energy efficiency, and green tech leading to job creation or sustainability (Find Business Support)
Status: Scheme currently closed (2024–25 budget exhausted); UKSPF‑backed replacement expected to open soon (Find Business Support)

🔹 Business Energy Scotland Loan & Cashback

Loan: Up to £100,000, unsecured and interest-free
Cashback: Up to £30,000 for carbon-saving investments (southlanarkshire.gov.uk)

🔹 DSL Business Finance

Loans: Up to £100,000, flexible terms, aimed at small businesses and social enterprises, including those declined by other lenders (startupgrant.co.uk)

Government‑Backed Loans

🔹 Scottish Microfinance Fund

Loan: Up to £25,000
Interest: Fixed 6%
Eligibility: Businesses with fewer than 10 employees (no match funding needed) (startupgrant.co.uk)

🔹 Start‑Up Loan Company

Loan: £500–£25,000, 6% interest
Includes: 12 months free mentoring
Eligibility: Individuals over 18 with businesses trading for less than 24 months (startupgrant.co.uk)

🔹 Business Loans Scotland

Loans: £25,000–£100,000 secured
Eligibility: Businesses with more than 10 employees, looking for significant funding (startupgrant.co.uk)

Other Support & Resources

Business Gateway Lanarkshire
- Offers free one-to-one advice, online tools, and webinars to support business planning and market entry (Business Gateway | Business Gateway)
Expert Consultancy Support
- Up to five funded days on topics like digital transformation and net zero via BG (southlanarkshire.gov.uk, Find Business Support)
Carbon Baseline (ExtendPLUS)
- Free carbon reporting for eligible businesses to plan greener growth (southlanarkshire.gov.uk)
South Lanarkshire CLLD Grants
- £235k UKSPF fund open June–Nov 2025 for community-led projects upto £5k (southlanarkshire.gov.uk)

Key Contacts

📞 Business Gateway Lanarkshire – 01698 520775
📧 lanarkshire@bgateway.com
🌐 South Lanarkshire business support pages – grants, loans & guidance (southlanarkshire.gov.uk, startupgrant.co.uk)

How to Apply

Engage early with a BG adviser to identify the right funding route.
Check eligibility, ensuring business stage, turnover, and sector meet criteria.
Prepare documents: quotes, business plan, impact rationale (job creation, carbon savings).
Apply before funds close—some schemes are fully subscribed for 2025.
Combine support smartly—e.g., use grants alongside loans or energy advice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

🔹 What’s the main grant available?
The Business Support Grant covers 50% of eligible business costs up to £5,000 (southlanarkshire.gov.uk, Find Business Support)

▫️ What is the maximum for growth grants?
You can get up to £20,000 (Recovery & Growth Grant) or £5,000 (Support Grant) depending on project size (southlanarkshire.gov.uk)

🔹 Is the Recovery & Growth scheme open?
It’s currently closed, but a new UKSPF scheme is expected in 2025–26 (Find Business Support)

▫️ Can I get a low‑interest loan?
Yes—Scottish Microfinance and Start-Up Loans offer up to £25,000 at a 6% fixed rate (startupgrant.co.uk)

🔹 What funding is there for energy improvements?
Interest‑free loans (£100k) and cashback (£30k) via Business Energy Scotland (southlanarkshire.gov.uk)

▫️ Who can access DSL loans?
Small businesses & charities, even if rejected elsewhere, can borrow up to £100k (southlanarkshire.gov.uk)

🔹 Does BG offer consultancy support?
Yes—up to five days of expert assistance and free carbon assessment via ExtendPLUS (southlanarkshire.gov.uk)

Value AD

2025

100% FREE

BUSINESS TOOl

What is Value Ad?

Value Ad is an innovative policy designed to foster a mutually beneficial relationship between two key groups: new businesses and service providers. This policy helps startups save significantly on essential services while enabling service providers to gain valuable traction and growth opportunities.

How is it a Win-Win Deal?

For New Businesses:

Cost Savings: Startups can save 50% to 80% on essential services such as website development and marketing. This means they don’t need to invest heavily upfront, making it easier to launch and grow their business.

Alternative Investment: The money saved through these discounts can be reinvested into other critical areas of the business, acting as an alternative investment that fuels further growth and development.

For Service Providers:

Initial Customer Base: Service providers, often tech startups themselves, can attract a significant number of initial customers by offering their services at a discounted rate. This helps them build traction and demonstrate value, which is crucial for attracting venture capital (VC) funding and other opportunities.

Marketing Efficiency: By providing affordable services, service providers do not need to spend heavily on marketing to acquire new customers. The discounted services themselves become a powerful marketing tool, bringing in customers who can spread the word and enhance the provider’s reputation.

Growth and Expansion: Attracting more customers through Value Ad helps service providers expand their client base and build long-term relationships, which can lead to increased revenue and business growth.

Alternative Investment for New Businesses:

For new businesses, the significant cost savings achieved through the Value Ad policy effectively serve as an alternative investment. Instead of spending large amounts on website development and marketing, they can leverage the affordable services provided by service providers. The saved funds can be redirected into other strategic areas of the business, enhancing overall growth and sustainability.

Benefits for Service Providers:

Service providers benefit from the Value Ad policy by gaining access to a ready pool of new customers who are drawn by the discounted rates. This initial customer base is crucial for:

Building Traction: Demonstrating product or service viability to potential investors.

Securing Funding: Enhanced customer traction and a growing user base can make the service provider more attractive to venture capitalists and other funding sources.

Market Penetration: Establishing a presence in the market quickly and efficiently without heavy marketing expenditures.

In Summary:

Value Ad is a strategic policy designed to create a win-win scenario for both new businesses and service providers. By offering significant discounts on essential services, startups can save and reinvest those savings, while service providers gain crucial initial customers and market traction. This mutually beneficial arrangement supports the growth and success of both groups, making Value Ad a powerful tool for business development and investment.

FREE BUSINESS TOOLS